Sensor assembly body, seal device, and rolling bearing device for motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A seal apparatus comprises an outer ring side seal ring fixed to an outer ring member, and an inner ring side seal ring fixed to an inner ring member. A pulser ring is fixed to a ring shaped core metal of the inner ring side seal ring. On an outer diameter side of the ring shaped core metal of the outer ring side seal ring, a magnetic sensor is molded with resin by an external member to be integrated therewith. A connector connected to the magnetic sensor is successively formed with the external member. A reinforcing member which reinforces the sensor side connector is provided on at least either of the external member or the sensor side connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rolling bearing apparatus forvehicles wherein a sensor and a pulser ring for detecting rotation usedfor ABS (anti lock brake system) or the like in automobiles areincorporated into a seal device known as a pack seal and a gap betweeninner and outer rings is sealed with this seal device with rotationdetector incorporated therein. The invention also relates to a sensorassembly and seal device constituting the rolling bearing apparatus forvehicles.

In the related art, there has been proposed a rolling bearing apparatusfor vehicles provided with a rotation detector (refer to, for example,Japanese Laid Open Patent Application Publication No. 7-197938). In thisthe rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles, a rolling member isinterposed between respective raceway surfaces of an inner ringconstituting a rotating ring and an outer ring constituting a fixedring. A space between the inner and outer rings is sealed by a sealdevice.

The rotation detector comprises an encoder element fixed to the innerring and a detection element fixed to the outer ring. The detectionelement detects the rotational state of the inner ring by detecting theencoder element.

An example of application of the bearing apparatus provided with therotation detector to an automobile is one wherein a bearing apparatusfor rotatably supporting an axle of an automobile with respect to avehicle body is provided with a rotation detector used for ABS or thelike. More specifically, it is constituted such that the inner ring ofthe bearing apparatus is outward fitted on the axle of the automobile.The outer ring is fixed to the vehicle body via a knuckle and the sensordetects changes in the magnetic field of a pulser ring fixed on theinner ring. The detection signal is transmitted to an electronic circuitof the vehicle body via a wire harness.

Normally, the sensor is fixed to the knuckle and the electronic circuitis provided at the vehicle body. For this reason, since the knuckle isconnected to a damper against swaying of the vehicle body when running,vibration of the vehicle body is not transmitted to the knuckle.Therefore, the electronic circuit provided at the vehicle body istherefore caused to vibrate by swaying of the vehicle body. The sensor,however, is fixed to the knuckle is not influenced by vibration of thevehicle body. Thus the wire harness connecting the sensor and theelectronic circuit may become disconnected because of the vibration ofthe vehicle body. Further, recently, to save space, ABS sensors havebeen incorporated in a seal device, known as a pack seal, which isfitted on the bearing apparatus. For this reason there are the followingproblems: if the wire harness disconnects and the ABS sensor is in anabnormal state, it is necessary to replace the entire hub unit thatincludes the bearing apparatus. Accordingly the maintenance operationtakes time and labor, and the expense is high. Moreover, the weight ofthe wire harness is applied to the connecting portion between the sensorand the wire harness due to vehicle body swaying or the like.Accordingly, disconnection may occur due to inadequate strength at theconnecting portion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sensor assembly which is fixed to an outerring member of a rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles and whichdetects the rotational state of an inner ring member. It comprises aseal ring, a sensor integrally provided at the seal ring, an externalmember which molds the sensor with resin to integrate the sensor withthe seal ring, a sensor side connector whose one end is successivelyformed with the external member and whose other end is freelyattachable/detachable with a wire harness side connector, and areinforcing member which is coupled to at least either of the externalmember or the sensor side connector and which reinforces the strength ofthe sensor side connector.

Preferably, the other end of the external member extends radiallyoutward, and the reinforcing member is constituted by an extensionportion of the seal ring which extends towards the other end of theexternal member.

Preferably, the other end of the sensor side connector extends radiallyoutward, and the reinforcing member is constituted by the extensionportion of the seal ring which extends towards the other end of thesensor side connector.

A seal device of the present invention comprises an outer ring side sealring which is fixed to an outer ring member and composed of nonmagneticmaterial, an inner ring side seal ring fixed to an inner ring member, amagnetic sensor provided at the periphery of the outer ring side sealring, a magnetic body ring which constitutes a rotation detector inconjunction with the magnetic sensor and is integrally provided at aposition radially opposite the magnetic sensor in the inner ring sideseal ring, an external member which molds the magnetic sensor with resinto integrate the magnetic sensor with the outer ring side seal ring, asensor side connector whose one end is successively formed with theexternal member and whose other end is constituted to be freelyattachable/detachable from a wire harness side connector, and areinforcing member which is coupled to at least either of the externalmember or the sensor side connector and reinforces the strength of thesensor side connector.

The rotation detector used, for example, is an active type detectorwhich changes output according to changes in magnetic flux. The magneticbody ring includes the pulser ring, and the magnetic sensor includes amagnetic sensor which is comprised of two magnetic detection portionsdisposed circumferentially apart from each other.

A vehicle rolling bearing apparatus of the present invention comprisesan outer ring member fixed to a vehicle body side, an inner ring memberwhich is concentrically disposed with the outer ring member, a pluralityof rolling members which are rotatably disposed between the outer ringmember and the inner ring member, an outer ring side seal ring fixed tothe outer ring member, an inner ring side seal ring which constitutes aseal device in conjunction with the outer ring side seal ring and isfixed to the inner ring member, a magnetic sensor integrally provided atthe outer ring side seal ring, an external member which molds themagnetic sensor with resin to integrate the magnetic sensor with theouter ring side seal ring, a sensor side connector whose one end issuccessively formed with the external member and whose other end isattachable/detachable with a wire harness side connector, a reinforcingmember which is coupled to at least either of the external member or thesensor side connector and reinforces the strength of the sensor sideconnector, and a pulser ring which constitutes a rotation detector inconjunction with the magnetic sensor and which is fixed to a side of theinner ring side seal ring.

According to the rolling bearing apparatus of the present invention, therotation detector comprising the magnetic sensor and the magnetic bodyring is integrated with the seal device and the sensor side connectorconnected to the magnetic sensor is successively formed with theexternal member which molds the magnetic sensor with resin, so the sealdevice, the rotation detector, and the sensor side connector areintegrated.

The wire harness for connecting the magnetic sensor and the electroniccircuit of the vehicle body is connected to the electronic circuit atone end, and at the other end has the wire harness side connector whichis attachably/detachably connected to the sensor side connector which isintegrally molded with the magnetic sensor. The electronic circuit isconnected to the magnetic sensor by attachably/detachably connecting thewire harness side connector to the sensor side connector which isintegrally provided at the magnetic sensor. Thus, the wire harness isseparated from the integrated object comprising the seal device, therotation detector, and the sensor side connector, so that if the wireharness breaks due to swaying of the vehicle body when running,replacement is easily performed by removing just the wire harness fromthe sensor side connector portion, thereby making it possible to easilyperform maintenance inexpensively.

In the sensor assembly constituting the outer ring side seal ring of theseal device, the seal ring extends in an outer diameter direction toform a reinforcement portion, and the sensor side connector integrallyprovided at the external member is reinforced with the reinforcementportion. Hence, when the wire harness side connector is connected to thesensor side connector and the weight of the wire harness is applied tothe sensor side connector formed at the weak in strength externalmember, the sensor side connector can be prevented from bending in thedirection of the reinforcement portion, thereby preventing magneticsensor line breaks or the like.

According to the rolling bearing apparatus of the present invention, therotation detector comprising the magnetic sensor and the magnetic bodyring is integrally molded with the seal device, and the sensor sideconnector connected to the magnetic sensor is successively formed withthe external member which molds the magnetic sensor with resin, so thatthe seal device, the rotation detector, and the sensor side connectorare integrated.

The wire harness for connecting the magnetic sensor and the electroniccircuit of the vehicle body is connected to the electronic circuit atone end, and at the other end has the sensor side connector which isattachably/detachably connected to the wire harness side connector whichis integrated with the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor and theelectronic circuit are connected by attachably/detachably connecting thewire harness side connector to the sensor side connector. Thus, the wireharness is separated from the integrated object comprising the sealdevice, the rotation detector, and the sensor side connector, so thatwhen the wire harness breaks due to swaying of the vehicle body whenrunning, replacement is easily performed by removing just the wireharness from the sensor side connector portion, thereby making itpossible to easily perform maintenance inexpensively.

In the sensor assembly constituting the outer ring side seal ring of theseal device, a contact surface which makes contact with an outerperipheral surface of the outer ring member is formed at the sensor sideconnector integrally provided at the external member which extends inthe outer diameter direction. Hence, when the wire harness sideconnector is connected to the sensor side connector and the weight ofthe wire harness is applied to the sensor side connector formed at theweak in strength external member, the connector can be prevented frombending in the direction of the outer peripheral surface of the outerring member, thereby preventing magnetic sensor line breaks or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accompanying the specification are figures which assist in illustratingthe embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing the entire constitution of arolling bearing apparatus for vehicles according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an expanded sectional view of a principal portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 (A) is a signal waveform diagram of one detection portion of thetwo magnetic detection portions constituting a magnetic sensor;

FIG. 3 (B) is a signal waveform diagram of the other detection portionof the two magnetic detection portions constituting the magnetic sensor;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the magnetic sensor;

FIG. 5 (A) is an oblique view from the front of the seal device;

FIG. 5 (B) is an oblique view from the back of the same seal device;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the seal device 30, omitting asensor side connector;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the seal device including the sensorside connector;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a portion of a rolling bearingapparatus for vehicles according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a principal portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 (A) is an oblique view from the front of the seal device of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 (B) is an oblique view from the back of the seal device of FIG.8; and

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a portion of a rolling bearingapparatus for vehicles according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, description will be made in detail of arolling bearing apparatus for vehicles according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing the entire constitution of therolling bearing apparatus for vehicles according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 2 is an expanded sectional view of aprincipal portion of FIG. 1. In these drawings, the left side is avehicle outward side and the right side is a vehicle inward side.Although the rolling bearing apparatus 1 is for driving wheels, it canalso be applied to a coupled driving wheel.

A flange portion 21 formed on an outer peripheral surface of an outerring member 2 as a fixing ring is fixed to a knuckle 9 via a bolt 10,and the outer ring member 2 is thereby unrotatably supported by thevehicle body. Two outer ring raceway surfaces are formed on an innerperipheral surface of the outer ring member 2 in an axial direction. Aninner ring member 3 is a rotating ring constituted by a hub wheel 31 andan inner ring 32. The hub wheel 31 and the inner ring 32 are rotatablysupported by the outer ring member 2 via rolling members 4 and 5 whichare constituted by balls in respective rows circumferentially disposedat equidistant positions in a snap cage 6, respectively.

A flange portion 34 is integrally formed radially outward on an outerperipheral surface of the hub wheel 31 at the vehicle outward side. Abrake disc rotor and a tire wheel are mounted on the flange portion 34and a wheel is mounted on the tire wheel.

An outer peripheral surface more to the vehicle inward side than fromthe flange portion 34 of the hub wheel 31 is used as the inner ringraceway surface of the rolling member 4 of one row. A cylindrical minordiameter portion 31 a is formed on the hub wheel 31 at the vehicleoutward side, and the inner ring 32 is outward fitted to an outerperipheral surface of this minor diameter portion 31 a. An outerperipheral surface of the inner ring 32 is used for an inner ringraceway surface of the rolling member 5 of the other row. At the edgeface on the vehicle inward side of the inner ring 32, an edge sectiondeformed outward in the minor diameter portion 31 a of the hub wheel 31direction is crimped.

A shaft portion 13 is integrally formed with a bowl shaped outer ringmember 12 of a constant velocity joint. The shaft portion 13 is insertedinto a central hole of the hub wheel 31 via a spline. A nut 14 isscrewed to an end section of the shaft portion 13 at the vehicle outwardside and is tightened to an end face of a recess portion 33 of the hubwheel 31. Thus the necessary pre pressure is applied to the rollingmembers 4 and 5 of both rows, and the bowl shaped outer ring member 12is incorporated with the hub wheel 31 and rotates integrally therewith.

Seal devices 7 and 8 hermitically seal a ring shaped bearing space 11between the outer ring member 2 and the inner ring member 3 from bothsides in the axial direction at the vehicle outward side and the vehicleinward side, respectively. Thereby, the seal devices 7 and 8 preventlubricant inside the ring shaped bearing space 11 from leaking out andprevent mud, water or the like from infiltrating. The seal device 7, forexample, is constituted by adhering a rubber lip (not shown) whichslidingly contacts the hub wheel 31 to a ring shaped core metal (notshown) which is inwardly fitted to the outer ring member 2.

The seal device 8 is constituted by combining an outer ring side sealring 81 (FIG. 6), which is one of the components of the sensor assembly,and an inner ring side seal ring 82. The sensor assembly comprises theouter ring side seal ring 81, a magnetic sensor 15, and an externalmember 17.

The outer ring side seal ring 81 is attached to the side of the outerring member 2 and comprises a ring shaped core metal 83, and a main lip84 and an auxiliary lip 85 to cover this ring shaped core metal 83. Thering shaped core metal 83 comprises a cylindrical portion 83 a extendedin the axial direction, and a ring shaped plate portion 83 b extendedradially inward from an inner edge side in the axial direction of thecylindrical portion 83 a. The ring shaped core metal 83 is a nonmagneticring, and is made of a nonmagnetic material, for example nonmagneticstainless steel or the like.

The inner ring side seal ring 82 is attached to the side of the innerring 32 and consists of a ring shaped core metal 86, and an axialdirection lip 87 and a radial direction lip 88 to cover this ring shapedcore metal 86. The ring shaped core metal 86 comprises a cylindricalportion 86 a which extends in the axial direction and radially opposesthe cylindrical portion 83 a, and a ring shaped plate portion 86 b whichextends radially outward from an outer edge side in the axial directionof the cylindrical portion 86 a and axially opposes the ring shapedplate portion 83 b. The respective lips 84, 85, 87, and 88 are made ofrubber such as nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) or the like, and arevulcanized to adhere to the ring shaped core metal 83 and 86.

The magnetic sensor 15 for detecting the rotational state of the innerring member is integrally incorporated in the outer ring side seal ring81 and the pulser ring 16 that is a magnetic ring is integrallyincorporated in the inner ring side seal ring 82. The rotation detectorfor detecting the rotation of the inner ring 32 comprises the magneticsensor 15 and the pulser ring 16.

The magnetic sensor 15 is mounted in a non contact manner above theouter peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 83 a in the ringshaped core metal 83 of the outer ring side seal ring 81. It is providedby integrally molding (insert molding) the external member 17 whichresin molds the magnetic sensor 15 at the outer diameter of thecylindrical portion 83 a. The external member 17 is made of anengineering plastic, preferably poly phenylene sulphide (PPS), polybutylene terephthalate (PST), poly amide (PA) or the like.

A sensor side connector 20 is integrally molded with the external member17. One end of the sensor side connector 20 extends to the externalmember 17 and the other end extends in the outer diameter direction andis attachably/detachably connected to a wire harness side connector (notshown) connected to the electronic circuit of the vehicle body. Thesensor side connector 20 is preferably made of an engineering plastic,such as PPS, PBT, PA, or the like. A pin 19 for connection with the wireharness side connector projects from the bottom face of a recess portion29 a on the other end side inside the sensor side connector 20, and themagnetic sensor 15 and the pin 19 are connected to a signal line 18.

A ring shaped outer ring member contact surface 17 a which makes contactwith the end face 2 b in the axial direction of the outer ring member 2is formed on the external member 17. A catch for locking with the wireharness side connector may be provided at the periphery of the sensorside connector 20.

The magnetic sensor 15 comprises two magnetic detection portions whichare disposed circumferentially apart from each other, such as a Hallelement or a magnetoresistive element, and is capable of detectingrotational direction in addition to rotational angle. With regard to arotational phase relationship between detection signals of two magneticsensor portions, the magnetic sensors are disposed such that when onemagnetic sensor produces a first rectangular wave signal as shown inFIG. 3 (A), the other magnetic sensor produces a second rectangular wavesignal, the phase of which is shifted from that of the first rectangularsignal by 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 3 (B). Whether the rotationaldirection of the inner ring 3 is right or left can be determinedaccording to a phase advance or a phase delay between both detectionsignals that the respective magnetic detection portions produce.

As shown in FIG. 4, a Hall IC incorporating two Hall elements 22 ispreferably used as the magnetic detection portion of the magnetic sensor15. That is, it is constituted such that two Hall elements 22 aredisposed at an interval (λ/4) so that the phase difference betweenoutputs from the respective Hall elements is 90 degrees relative to themagnetizing pitch λ of the pulser ring 16, thereby making it possible todetect the rotational direction. The magnetizing pitch λ is the totallength of N pole and S pole magnetization.

The pulser ring 16 is formed by vulcanizing and molding rubber thatcontains a magnetic powder, and is magnetized with a configuration suchthat N pole and S pole pieces are disposed alternately in thecircumferential direction, for example. The pulser ring 16 is fixed toan inner surface of the ring shaped plate portion 86 b in the ringshaped core metal 86 of the inner ring side seal ring 82. The magneticsensor 15 is fixed to a position where it is capable of detecting achange in the magnetic field of the pulser ring 16. The sensingdirection (inner diameter direction) of the magnetic sensor 15 and themagnetization direction (axial direction) of the pulser ring 16 areorthogonal to each other.

In the seal device 8, with regard to the outer ring side seal ring 81into which the magnetic sensor 15 is incorporated, the external member17 is press fitted to a shoulder portion 2 a of the inner peripheralsurface of the outer ring member 2. With regard to the inner ring sideseal ring 82 in which the pulser ring 16 is incorporated, the ringshaped core metal 86 is press fitted to a shoulder portion 32 a of theouter peripheral surface of the inner ring 32. The seal device 8 isthereby attached tightly to the outer ring member 2 and the inner ring32. The seal device 8 is positioned by causing an outer ring contactsurface 17 a to make contact with the end face 2 b in the axialdirection of the outer ring member 2.

In the rolling bearing apparatus 1 provided above, the edge section ofthe outer ring member 2 on the vehicle inward side is inwardly fitted tothe knuckle 9, and the flange portion 21 of the outer ring member 2 isfixed to the knuckle 9 with the bolt 10. The knuckle 9 is formed as acylinder, and a cutout 91 into which the sensor side connector 20 isinserted is formed at the vehicle outward side. The rolling bearingapparatus 1 is fixed to the knuckle 9 in a state in which the sensorside connector 20 has been inserted into the cutout 91.

The wire harness side connector is provided at the tip of the wireharness connected to the electronic circuit of the vehicle body. Thesensor side connector 20 is attachable/detachable with this wire harnessside connector. Since the wire harness side connector is connected tothe sensor side connector 20, the magnetic sensor 15 is connected to theelectronic circuit of the vehicle body via a connection with the sensorside connector 20 and the wire harness side connector.

In the rolling bearing apparatus 1, when the inner ring member 3 rotatesin a state in which the outer ring member 2 is unrotatably fixed to theknuckle 9, each pole piece of the pulser ring 16, which integrallyrotates with the inner ring member 3, successively opposes each of themagnetic detection portions of the magnetic sensor 15. When thishappens, the position of the pulser ring 16 opposite each of themagnetic detection portions of the magnetic sensor 15 successivelychanges, so the direction of magnetic flux generated from the pulserring 16 alternately changes, and first and second rectangular wavesignals are output from the magnetic sensor 15. The waveform period ofeach of these rectangular wave signals changes according to therotational phase and rotational speed of the pulser ring 16. Processingthe waveform of each rectangular wave signal finds the rotational phase,the rotational speed, the rotational frequency, the rotational directionand the like of the inner ring member 3.

In the rolling bearing apparatus 1 the wire harness is separated fromthe integrated object comprising the seal device 8, the magnetic sensor15, the pulser ring 16, and the sensor side connector 20. Because ofthis separation, when the wire harness is broken by swaying of thevehicle body when running, the wire harness side connector can beremoved with ease from the sensor side connector to replace the wireharness. Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform maintenanceinexpensively.

Since the wire harness is separated from the integrated objectcomprising the seal device 8, the magnetic sensor 15, the pulser ring16, and the sensor side connector 20, when the rolling bearing apparatus1 is fixed to the knuckle 9 in a state in which the integrated object isfitted onto the rolling bearing apparatus 1, there is no wire harness tointerfere with the fixing operation. Accordingly, there is an improvingmountability in vehicles.

The pulser ring 16 is provided at the ring shaped core metal 86 of theinner ring side seal ring 82, and the magnetic sensor 15 is provided atthe ring shaped core metal 83 of the outer ring side seal ring 81, andthe pulser ring 16 and the magnetic sensor 15 are integrated with theseal device 8. Due to this integrated constitution, compact formation ofthe rotation detector can be achieved and it can be easily installedeven in a small space such as the driving wheel side.

The pulser ring 16 is fixed to the ring shaped core metal 86 of theinner ring side seal ring 82, and the magnetic sensor 15 is molded withresin by the external member 17 to be integrated with the ring shapedcore metal 83 of the outer ring side seal ring 81. Accordingly,hermetically sealing performance of the pulser ring 16 and the magneticsensor 15 is improved. This improves the dust resistance performance ofthe rolling bearing apparatus.

Since the signal line 18 of the magnetic sensor 15 is molded with resinby the external member 17, a connecting portion between the magneticsensor 15 and the signal line 18 is reinforced. Accordingly, breaks areprevented in the signal line 18. Furthermore, since the wire harness isseparated from the integrated object comprising the seal device 8, themagnetic sensor 15, the pulser ring 16, and the sensor side connector20, the weight of the wire harness is not applied to the external member17. This prevents deterioration in the hermetically sealing performanceof the external member 17 due to lack of strength while the wire harnessis attached to the connector 20.

The sensor side connector 20 is integrally formed at the external member17 which resin molds the magnetic sensor 15 of the outer ring side sealring 81. This results in excellent insulation and vibration resistanceperformance and reduced costs. The sensor side connector 20 is providedinserted into the cutout 91 formed on the knuckle 9 on the vehicleoutward side. Accordingly, it is not necessary to form a through hole inthe middle of the axial direction of the knuckle 9 as in prior art. Thishelps prevent deterioration of the strength of the knuckle 9.

As disclosed, the sensor side connector 20 projecting in the outerdiameter direction engages with the cutout 91 from the vehicle outwardside in a state in which the rolling bearing apparatus 1 is fitted withthe seal device 8 with which the sensor side connector 20 is integrallyformed. As a result, the rolling bearing apparatus 1 can be fixed to theknuckle 9 with ease. Since the magnetic sensor 15 is molded by theexternal member 17 and is integrally formed with the outer ring sideseal ring 81, the magnetic sensor 15 is protected from an externalenvironment. Accordingly, there is an improving reliability.

Referring to FIG. 5 through FIG. 7, description will further be made ofthe seal device 8, especially of the outer ring side seal ring 81 andthe external member 17. FIG. 5 (A) is an oblique view from the front ofthe seal device 8, FIG. 5 (B) is an oblique view from the back of thesame seal device 8, FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the seal device8 without the sensor side connector 20, and FIG. 7 is a cross sectionalview of the seal device 8 including the sensor side connector 20.

The outer ring side seal ring 81 comprises the ring shaped core metal83, and the main lip 84 and the auxiliary lip 85 which fitted on thisring shaped core metal 83 as described above. The ring shaped core metal83 comprises a cylindrical portion 83 a and a ring shaped plate portion83 b.

The inner ring side seal ring 82 comprises the ring shaped core metal86, and the axial direction lip 87 and the radial direction lip 88 whichcover this ring shaped core metal 86. The ring shaped core metal 86 ofthe inner ring side seal ring 82 comprises a cylindrical portion 86 aand a ring shaped plate portion 86 b.

The other end of the external member 17 is formed into a ring shape,extending radially outward. One end of the sensor side connector 20 isintegrally formed at the other end of the external member 17. Its otherend is formed into a cylindrical shape, extending radially outwardfurther than the other end of the external member 17.

The cylindrical portion 83 a of the ring shaped core metal 83 of theouter ring side seal ring 81 extends towards the vehicle inward side andis bent radially outward at two intermediate points along suchextension. That is, for an extension end section of the cylindricalportion 83 a on the vehicle inward side, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7,one of the bent portions thereof is formed as a ring shapedreinforcement portion 83 c facing the back face of the other end of theexternal member 17. On the other hand, the other bent portion thereof isformed as a half cylindrical reinforcement portion 83 d facing the otherend of the sensor side connector 20. It is not mandatory to have bothreinforcement portions 83 c and 83 d. That is, having only reinforcementportion 83 d is sufficient.

The reinforcement portion 83 c covers the whole back face of a ringshaped portion 17 b of the external member 17 having the outer ringcontact surface 17 a. The reinforcement portion 83 d covers the surfaceof the sensor side connector 20 from its one end to the other end. Thusthe reinforcement portion 83 d covers the vehicle inward side surface ofthe sensor side connector 20 and is formed in a successive formationwith the reinforcement portion 83 c. The length of the reinforcementportion 83 d in the radial direction reaches an intermediate point ofthe connector 20 in the radial direction, and may also be formed overthe whole length of the connector 20 in the radial direction. The shapeof the reinforcement portion 83 d is not limited to one covering thevehicle inward side surface of the connector 20. The shape may also beformed to cover the entire perimeter of the connector 20, for example.

In the sensor assembly constituting the outer ring side seal ring 81 ofthe seal device 8, the reinforcement portions 83 c and 83 d are formedby extending the ring shaped core metal 83 on the vehicle inward side inthe outer diameter direction. The sensor side connector 20 formedsuccessively with the external member 17 is reinforced by thereinforcement portions 83 c and 83 d.

Therefore, when the sensor side connector 20 is attachably/detachablyconnected to the wire harness side connector and the weight of the wireharness is applied to the sensor side connector 20 formed at the thin,weak in strength external member 17, the sensor side connector 20 isprevented from being bent in the direction of the reinforcement portions83 c and 83 d, i.e. toward the vehicle inward side (knuckle side).Accordingly, disconnection is prevented of the signal line 18 of themagnetic sensor 15 and deterioration is prevented of hermeticallysealing performance of the external member 17 or the like. Thus, thereis an improved reliability.

Furthermore, since the signal line 18 of the magnetic sensor 15 is resinmolded by the external member 17, the connecting portion between themagnetic sensor 15 and the signal line 18 is reinforced. Accordingly,disconnection is further prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, explanation will be made of anotherembodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, the same symbolis given to a component that is the same as or corresponds to acomponent of FIGS. 1 through 7 and detailed description of the thatcomponent will be omitted.

The ring shaped positioning face 17 a, which makes contact with the endface 2 b in the axial direction of the outer ring member 2, is formed atthe external member 17. In addition, a contact surface 20 a, which makescontact with an outer peripheral surface 2 c of the outer ring member 2,is formed on the sensor side connector 20 at the vehicle outward side.

The seal device 8 is positioned so that the positioning face 17 a of theexternal member 17 makes contact with the end face 2 b in the axialdirection of the outer ring member 2. In this state, it is disposed suchthat the contact surface 20 a of the sensor side connector 20 makescontact with the outer peripheral surface 2 c of the outer ring member 2and the sensor side connector 20 overlaps the outer ring member 2. Inother words, an edge section of the outer ring member 2 on the vehicleinward side is inserted into a recess portion formed between the contactsurface 20 a of the sensor side connector 20 and the outer peripheralsurface 17 c of the external member 17.

The outer peripheral surface 2 c of the outer ring member 2 which makescontact with the contact surface 20 a of the sensor side connector 20 isnot limited to a cylindrical surface. For example, by forming a recessportion only at the portion which the contact surface 20 a of the sensorside connector 20 contacts and by fitting the sensor side connector 20into this recess portion, it may be used as a guide for circumferentialposition when the seal device 8 is fixed to the outer ring member 2.

According to the above constitution, in the sensor assembly constitutingthe outer ring side seal ring 81 of the seal device 8, the contactsurface 20 a which makes contact with the outer peripheral surface 2 cof the outer ring member 2 is formed at the sensor side connector 20which extends in the outer diameter direction and is successively formedwith the resin made external member 17.

Hence, when the wire harness is connected to the sensor side connector20 and the weight of the wire harness is applied to the sensor sideconnector 20 formed at the resin made weak in strength external member17, since the outer ring member 2 becomes the reinforcing member for thesensor side connector 20, the sensor side connector 20 from is preventedbeing bent in the direction of the outer peripheral surface of the outerring member, i.e. to the vehicle outward side (tire side). Thus,disconnection is prevented of the signal line 18 of the magnetic sensor15 and deterioration is prevented of hermetically sealing performance ofthe resin made external member 17 or the like. Accordingly, reliabilityis improved.

Furthermore, since the signal line 18 of the magnetic sensor 15 ismolded by the resin made external member 17, the connecting portionbetween the magnetic sensor 15 and the signal line 18 is reinforced.Thus, disconnection is further prevented.

Description will be made of still another embodiment of the presentinvention based on FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 11, the contact surface 20a, which makes contact with the outer peripheral surface 2 c of theouter ring member 2, is formed on the sensor side connector 20 at thevehicle outward side in this additional embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, since the contact surface 20 a whichmakes contact with the outer peripheral surface 2 c of the outer ringmember 2 is additionally formed at the sensor side connector 20, it ispossible to prevent the sensor side connector 20 from being bent almostto the vehicle outward side. The sensor side connector 20 is thereforeheld essentially at the vehicle outward side or essentially at thevehicle inward side. Accordingly, it is possible to preventdisconnection of the signal line 18 or the like. Thus, reliability isimproved.

It is sufficient if the reinforcement portion is formed only for atleast a portion of the sensor side connector 20. The magnetic sensor 15may be a sensor for only detecting rotational speed of the axle of theautomobile. A constitution for the seal device 8 is sufficient providedthere is with the outer ring side seal ring 81 constituting the sensorassembly. No particular limitations are placed with respect to thedisposition and form of the magnetic sensor or the magnetic ring.

The present invention can be applied to a rolling bearing apparatus forrotatably supporting an axle of a vehicle such as an automobile or thelike on a vehicle body.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not as restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore,indicated by the appended claims and their combination in whole or inpart rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

1.-30. (canceled)
 31. A sensor assembly connecting to an outer ringmember of a rolling bearing apparatus, said sensor assembly detecting arotational state of an inner ring member, said sensor assemblycomprising: a seal ring; a sensor disposed against said seal ring; anexternal member resin-molding said sensor to said seal ring; a sensorconnector including first and second ends, said first end disposedagainst said external member and said second end being connectable to awire harness connector; and a reinforcing member connecting to eithersaid external member or said sensor connector, said reinforcing memberreinforcing said sensor connector.
 32. The sensor assembly of claim 31,wherein: said external member has first and second ends; said second endof said external member extends radially outward; and said reinforcingmember defining an extension portion of said seal ring, said extensionportion extending towards said second end of said external member. 33.The sensor assembly of claim 32, wherein: said external member has aback face and said reinforcing member being disposed against said backface of said external member.
 34. The sensor assembly of claim 31,wherein: said second end of said external member extends radiallyoutward; and said reinforcing member defining an extension portion ofsaid seal ring, said extension portion extending towards said second endof said sensor connector.
 35. The sensor assembly of claim 34, whereinsaid reinforcing member covers a portion of said sensor connector. 36.The sensor assembly of claim 31, wherein: said extension member hasfirst and second ends, said second end including a back face; saidsecond end of said extension member being ring shaped and extendingradially outward; said first end of said sensor connector connecting tosaid second end of said external member, and said second end of saidsensor connector being cylindrically shaped and extending radiallyoutward beyond said second end of said external member; said seal ringincluding an outer ring; said reinforcing member including a ring-shapedmember, said ring-shaped member defining a first extension portion ofsaid outer ring, said first extension portion extending along said backface of said second end of said external member; and said reinforcingmember including a semi-cylindrical member, said semi-cylindrical memberdefining a second extension portion of said outer ring, said secondextension portion extending along said second end of said sensorconnector.
 37. The sensor assembly of claim 31, wherein: said seal ringincludes an outer ring member, said outer ring member including an outerperipheral surface; and said sensor connector includes a contact surfacefor contacting said outer peripheral surface of said outer ring member.38. The sensor assembly of claim 31, wherein: said external member andsaid sensor connector are integrally molded; a signal line and a pineach being disposed within said integral external member and sensorconnector; said signal line and pin each having first and second ends,said first end of said line connecting to said sensor, and said firstend of said pin connecting with said second end of said signal line; andsaid second end of said sensor connector including a recess portion,said recess portion including a bottom face, said second end of said pinprotruding through said bottom face of said recess portion; the wireharness connector being connectable to said second end of said pinthrough said recess portion.
 39. The sensor assembly of claim 31,wherein: said sensor is a magnetic sensor; said seal ring including anouter ring, said outer ring including an outer periphery side, saidouter ring being a nonmagnetic material; and said magnetic sensor beingdisposed on said outer periphery side of said outer ring.
 40. The sensorassembly of claim 39, wherein: said magnetic sensor includes twomagnetic detection portions disposed circumferentially apart from eachother; and signals output from both said magnetic detection portions arephase differentiated by 90 degrees.
 41. A seal apparatus, comprising: aseal ring including an outer ring, said outer ring being nonmagnetic andincluding an outer periphery side; an outer member connecting to saidouter ring of said seal; said seal ring including an inner ring; aninner ring member connecting to said inner ring of said seal; a magneticsensor being disposed at said outer periphery side of said outer ring; amagnetic ring, said magnetic ring and said magnetic sensor defining arotation detector, said magnetic ring connecting to said inner ring,said magnetic ring radially opposing said magnetic sensor; an externalmember resin-molding said magnetic sensor to said outer ring side sealring; a sensor connector including first and second ends, said first endbeing connected to said external member and said second end beingconnectable to a wire harness connector; and a reinforcing memberconnecting to either of said external member or said sensor connector,said reinforcing member reinforcing said sensor side connector.
 42. Theseal apparatus of claim 41, wherein: said external member has first andsecond ends; said second end of said external member extends radiallyoutward; and said reinforcing member defining an extension portion ofsaid seal ring, said extension portion extending towards said second endof said external member.
 43. The seal apparatus of claim 42, whereinsaid external member has a back face, and said reinforcing member beingdisposed against said back face of said external member.
 44. The sealapparatus of claim 41, wherein: said second end of said external memberextends radially outward; and said reinforcing member defining anextension portion of said outer ring, said extension portion extendingtowards said second end of said sensor connector.
 45. The seal apparatusof claim 44, wherein said reinforcing member covers at least a portionof said sensor connector.
 46. The seal apparatus of clam 41, wherein:said external member includes first and second ends, said second end ofsaid external member being ring shaped and extending radially outward;said first end of said sensor connector being connected to said secondend of said external member; said second end of said sensor connectorbeing cylindrically shaped and extending radially outward beyond saidsecond end of said external member; said second end of said externalmember including a back face; said reinforcing member including aring-shaped member, said ring-shaped member defining a first extensionportion of said outer ring, said first extension portion extending alongsaid back face of said second end of said external member; and saidreinforcing member including a semi-cylindrical member, saidsemi-cylindrical member defining a second extension portion of saidouter ring, said second extension extending towards said second end ofsaid sensor connector.
 47. The seal apparatus of claim 41, wherein: saidseal ring includes an outer ring member, said outer ring memberincluding an outer peripheral surface; and said sensor connectorincluding a contact surface for contacting said outer peripheral surfaceof said outer ring member.
 48. The seal apparatus of claim 41, wherein:said magnetic material ring is a pulser ring, said ring includingcircumferentially alternating N and S pole pieces, said N-pole piecesand said S-pole pieces being magnetized at a predetermined pitch. 49.The seal apparatus of claim 41, wherein: said outer ring includes afirst cylindrical portion, said first cylindrical portion axiallyextending and including an axial inner edge; said outer ring including asecond ring-shaped plate portion, said second plate portion extendingradially inward from said inner edge of said first cylindrical portion;said magnetic sensor being disposed in said external member, saidmagnetic sensor being disposed adjacent to and not contacting said outerperipheral surface of said first cylindrical portion; said firstcylindrical portion extending towards and covering at least either ofsaid external member or said sensor side connector, and said reinforcingmember including an extension portion of said first cylindrical portion;and said inner ring side seal ring including a second cylindricalportion axially extending and radially opposing said first cylindricalportion; said inner ring side seal ring includes a second ring-shapedplate portion extending radially outward from an outer edge portion inan axial direction of said second cylindrical portion and axiallyopposing to said first ring-shaped plate portion; and said pulser ringis attached to an inner surface of said second ring-shaped plate portionand radially opposing said magnetic sensor.
 50. The seal apparatus ofclaim 41, wherein: said pulser ring is magnetized at a predeterminedpitch, said pulser ring including circumferentially alternating N-polepieces and S-pole pieces; and said magnetic sensor comprising first andsecond magnetic detection portions spaced circumferentially apart fromeach other at a predetermined distance, said magnetic detection portionsboth producing rectangular wave signals, said wave signals being phasesshifted from each other by 90 degrees, and said interval between thembeing ¼ of said pitch.
 51. A rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles,comprising: an outer ring member is fixed to a vehicle body; an innerring member being disposed concentrically with said outer ring member; aplurality of rolling members being rotatably disposed against said outerring member and said inner ring member; an outer ring side seal ringbeing fixed to said outer ring member; an inner ring side seal ringthat, with said outer ring side seal ring, defines a seal apparatus,said inner ring side seal ring being fixed to said inner ring member; amagnetic sensor being disposed at said outer ring side seal ring; anexternal member resin-molding said magnetic sensor adjacent to saidouter ring side seal ring; a sensor side connector including two ends,said first end being formed with said external member and said secondend being attachably connected to a wire harness side connector; areinforcing member being coupled to either of said external member orsaid sensor side connector, said reinforcing member reinforcing saidsensor side connector; and a pulser ring that, with said magneticsensor, defines a rotation detector, said ring being fixed to a side ofsaid inner ring side seal ring.
 52. The rolling bearing apparatus ofclaim 51, wherein: one end of said external member resin-molding saidsensor adjacent to said outer ring side seal ring, and an other endthereof extending radially outward; and said reinforcing memberincluding an extension portion of said outer ring side seal ring, saidextension portion extending extends towards and covers a back face ofsaid external member.
 53. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 52,wherein: said other end of said sensor side connector extends radiallyoutward; and said reinforcing member includes said extension portion ofsaid outer ring side seal ring.
 54. The rolling bearing apparatus ofclaim 51, wherein: said other end of said external member is ring shapedand extends radially outward; one end of said sensor side connectorbeing integrally formed at said other end side of said extension of saidexternal member and another end being cylindrically shaped and extendingfurther radially outward than said other end of said external member;said reinforcing member including a ring-shaped reinforcing member, saidring-shaped member including a first extension portion of said outerring side seal ring, said first extension portion extending along andcovering a back face of said other end of said external member; saidreinforcing member including a semi-cylindrical reinforcing member, saidsemi-cylindrical member including a second extension portion of saidouter ring side seal ring, said second extension portion extending alongand covering a surface of said other end of said sensor side connector.55. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 51, further comprising acontact surface, said contact surface contacting an outer peripheralsurface of said outer ring member, said contact surface being disposedat said sensor side connector.
 56. The rolling bearing apparatus ofclaim 51, wherein said external member comprises a ring-shaped contactsurface, said ring-shaped surface axially contacting an end face of saidouter ring member for to positioning said seal apparatus.
 57. Therolling bearing apparatus of claim 51, wherein: said magnetic sensorincludes two magnetic detection portions, said magnetic portion beingdisposed circumferentially apart from each other; a phase relationshipbetween detection signals from said magnetic detection portions beingset such that when one magnetic detection portion produces a firstsignal, the other magnetic detection portion produces a second signalthat is phase shifted from said first signal by 90 degrees; said pulserring including circumferentially alternating N-pole and S-pole piecesthat are magnetized at a predetermined pitch; and a phase differencebetween respective outputs from both said magnetic detection portionsbeing fÉ/4 relative to said magnetized pitch of said pulser ring poles.58. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 51, wherein: said outer ringside seal ring includes a first cylindrical portion, said firstcylindrical portion axially extending, and a second ring-shaped plateportion extending radially inwardly from an inner edge portion in saidaxial direction of said first cylindrical portion; said magnetic sensorbeing resin-molded in said external member and being disposed adjacentto, and in a non-contact manner with, an outer peripheral surface ofsaid first cylindrical portion; said first cylindrical portion extendingto and covering either of said external member or said sensor sideconnector; said reinforcing member including an extension portion ofsaid first cylindrical portion; said inner ring side seal ring includinga second cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion axiallyextending and radially opposing said first cylindrical portion; saidinner ring side seal ring including a second ring-shaped plate portionthat extends radially outward from an outer edge portion in said axialdirection of said second cylindrical portion, said second ring-shapedplate portion axially opposing said first ring-shaped plate portion; andsaid pulser ring connecting to an inner surface of said secondring-shaped plate portion and radially opposing said magnetic sensor.59. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 51, wherein: said vehiclebody side comprises a cutaway through which said sensor side connectorpenetrates; and said sensor side connector being inserted into saidcutaway so that said outer ring member being fixed to said vehicle body.60. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 51, wherein: said inner ringmember includes a hub wheel that includes a flange portion for wheelattachment at an outer peripheral surface on said vehicle outward side;said inner ring member including an inner ring, said inner ring beingoutwardly connected to a vehicle inward side cylindrical minor diameterportion of said hub wheel; and said inner ring side seal ring beingfixed to said inner ring.